Art that Speaks to the Soul
We love a cuppa at Surrey Art School.
Breakfast, herbal, coffee… the urn sits in the corner sustaining our staff and students as they explore new creative avenues. Something new has been brewing though, something we think you might like to try with a biscuit or two: our Friday morning artist’s talks in the studio.
Each month, one of our talented tutors will take over the space to share their own work with us. There could be generous displays of new artwork, or technical demonstrations of personal processes. Each artist will speak about their personal journey to their current practice, giving you insight into the life and mind of each practitioner. It’ll be an informal affair, cosy and sincere, always with time for your questions and discussions. Have we piqued your interest?
We’re sure you all know Ellie as her SAS-founding, holistic art-tutoring, welcoming-in self, but do you know Ellie as practicing artist? With a recent successful exhibition in Dorking, Ellie’s alternative photography and immaculate printmaking is at a real high point.
There will be plenty of tea and coffee, and cake provided by the gorgeous Tanhouse Farm Shop and Cafe - this is a fundraiser so all profits from the talk will go to Ellie’s chosen charity - The Patchworking Garden in Dorking.
Join us on the 3rd May in the studio to hear more about the methods Ellie uses to make each piece, and the soulful inspirations behind her elegant and poignant imagery.
New for Spring / Summer 2019
The Salt Box
We are so delighted to announce that we’ll be teaming up with The Salt Box (Beckie and Christian) this summer for a series of woodland based events from their new HQ at Priory Farm! Born out of a passion for local produce and seasonal ingredients, they’ve set out on an adventure to bring people together through food and fire in and around the South East of England.
Kicking off in May we have both an Adult (mono-printing and woodland feast) and a family workshop (family natural inks and woodland lunch) in store for you - and after a recent meet up around the fire, it seems there will be more to come this summer too!
Get ready to re-wild your inner child with us this season!
Christian and Beckie aka the absolutely awesome Salt Box!
Ellie taking a rest after an intense fire-side meeting with the Salt Box crew!
Creativity for Well-being
Our mission here at SAS is to give you permission to step off the treadmill for a moment and make a bit of time that’s just for you. Too many of us work silly long hours, with even longer commutes or spend way too long each day at our computers trying to keep up with the increasingly hectic modern world.
We know that engaging in activities such as knitting, weaving, drawing, painting, yoga, reading..any of these analog activities can help us to feel calmer and more relaxed. And calm, relaxed people feel so much happier right? So here’s a few bits we’ve been up to this season and a few more to come, designed for you and with your mind, in mind…
Yoga and Art Retreats 2019
A huge thank-you to everyone who has joined us this year so far for one of our ever so special Sunday Yoga and Art retreats at The Sussex Country Yurt. The feedback from you guys has been phenomenal and we have loved every minute too. Here are a few pictures from recent events for those of you who haven’t had the chance to join us so far..
I’d also like to say a heart felt THANK-YOU to the lovely Georgie from GLO YOGA for her unwavering energy and the beautiful insight she brings to these retreats. The idea of running a Yoga and Art Retreat has long been in my mind, I was just waiting to find the right person to collaborate with. Not only did I find that, I found an absolute soul sister, a work wife and a really good friend. If you’d like to join our next retreat, click the link below:
More NEWS for Spring / Summer!
As you already know we are endlessly inspired by the changing seasons in the Surrey Hills and so our workshop menu flows in time with these beautiful rhythms bringing new ideas and fresh inspiration in as the winds change…
NEW! Flowers with Ebru…
“Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.”
Leading on from our introductory sessions to the Ebru marbling process, this paper marbling masterclass will teach you how to create beautiful botanical inspired prints that mirror that flora of the spring and summer seasons. Join our tutor Ebru Koçak in the studio on Sunday 23rd of June 2019 and watch as the colours bloom at your fingertips….
NEW! Foragers Basket Weaving Workshop with Emily Hall!
We are delighted to be joined in the studio this summer by local ceramicist and basket weaver Emily Hall for a mindful and soulful Sunday weaving workshop, using a mixture of bought, found and foraged seasonal materials to create a stunning hand-woven basket.
NEW! Kitchen Lithography Day Course with Paul Wye!
This super-fun and highly experimental day course will walk you through the process of creating a printing plate using tin-foil and then using a fizzy drink to bite at the plate so you can then use it to create a print!
Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden
Lastly but by no means least we are over the moon to announce that we’ll be collaborating with The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden this summer on a series of Afternoons in the Garden inspired by their stunning site nestled deep in the Surrey Hills. Heralded as one of the first of its kind in the UK, The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden has been proudly exhibiting contemporary sculpture in a unique and magical environment for over 35 years.
Join us for an ever so special afternoon of creativity for well-being at the stunning Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, In the grounds of this stunning garden nestled in the heart of the Surrey Hills - we’ll be taking a moment to connect to nature, slowing things down with a mixture of mindful creativity and Yoga in this beautiful, peaceful location.
As usual we’ve got lots more in store coming soon, including half term family workshops in late May, early June and a full summer school programme for both adults and families including opportunities for life drawing, relaxation, meditative making and some wild and wonderful outdoor events as the weather warms up.
May marks our third birthday as your local Art school and its an amazing feeling to have created this beautiful community showcasing the work of so many amazing local artist-teachers and bringing new ways of making and learning to our Surrey community!
Thank-you to each and every one of you for making each day a blessing and for believing in us as we make these dreams come true not just for us, but for you too!
We’re looking forward to meeting and making with you all this season, as always!
Ellie - Founder and Director - Surrey Art School / May 2019
Artwork by: Lisa Congden